13.3. Properties Tab

Through this tab, the properties of model elements selected in
the explorer or editing pane may be set. The properties of an
model element may be displayed in one of the following ways:

Selection of the model element in the explorer or editing
panes, followed by selection of the properties tab in the
details pane; or

Navigation buttons cause different model elements to be
selected. I.e. the Go Up button on the
properties tab, the Navigate Back and
Navigate Forward buttons in the main
tool bar, and the various menu-items under Edit -
Select.

At the top left is the icon and name of the type of
model element (i.e. the UML metaclass, not the actual name of this
particular model element). In this example the property tab is for a
class.

To the right of this is a toolbar of icons relevant to
this property tab. The first one is always navigation
Go up. The last is always Delete
to delete the selected model element from the model. The ones in
between depend on the model element.

The remainder of the tab comprises fields, laid out in
two or three columns. Each field has a label to its left. The
fields may be text boxes, text areas, drop down selectors,
radio boxes and check boxes. In most (but not all cases) the
values can be changed. In the case of text boxes this is
sometimes by just typing the required value.

However for many text boxes and text areas, data entry is
via a context sensitive pop-up menu (using button 2 click),
which offers options to add a new entry, delete an entry or
move entries up and down (in text areas with multiple
entries).

The first field is almost always a text field
Name, where the name of the specific model element can be
entered. The remaining fields vary depending on the model element
selected.

ArgoUML will always try to squeeze all fields on to the
property sheet. If the size of the property tab is too small,
it may become unusable. The solution is to either enlarge the
property tab by enlarging the main window, or by moving the
dividers to left and top.